By James Benavides
Senior Communications Specialist, Institute of Texan Cultures

(May 14, 2012) -- After photographing their way through four Chinese cities in 10 days, five Texas photographers are eager to share their memories and experiences. A new photo exhibit, "Texas Photographers: Descriptions of China," is on display at the Institute of Texan Cultures through May 27.

>> An exhibit reception, free and open to the public, is 6-8 p.m., Thursday, May 17 at the Institute of Texan Cultures.

For the homecoming show, UTSA curator Arturo Infante Almeida selected 50 photos from the five photographers: Peter Brown, Al Rendon, Ricardo Romo, Joel Salcido and Ansen Seale. After visiting Lishui City at the invitation of the China Photographers Association, the Texas photographers set out to capture the spirit and culture of China in photographs.

"Every photographer has his own eye," said Almeida. "Even though they were all in the same place, looking at the same people and environments, their photos were so different from each other. These five photographers each had his own unique vision of how he saw China."

The group's itinerary included a brief stop in Shanghai before heading to Lishui City. They spent a half-day in the rural town of Dhu Rong, where a village festival was underway, complete with outdoor theater and a performance of Chinese opera. The trip took the Texas photographers to the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square and the town of Wenzhou.

Donald Lien, director of UTSA Confucius Institute, helped facilitate the trip to China. With an invitation from the China Photographers Association, the five Texas photographers exhibited "Infinite Horizons: Visions of Texas" at the 14th annual China International Photographic Art Exhibition in Lishui City. According to Lien, Texas is largely unknown to the Chinese, and similarly, China is a mystery to Texans.

"This trip to China was meant to improve communication and understanding between Chinese and Americans," said Lien. "One way to do that is to send photographers. Photos can tell us so much."

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The Institute of Texan Cultures is on the UTSA HemisFair Park Campus, 801 E. César E. Chávez Blvd., a short distance from the Alamo and the River Walk. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Saturday; noon-5 p.m., Sunday. Admission is $8 for adults (ages 12-64); $7 for seniors (ages 65+); $6 for children (ages 3-11); free with membership, UTSA or Alamo Colleges identification. For more information, call 210-458-2300.

The Institute of Texan Cultures serves as the forum for the understanding and appreciation of Texas and Texans through research, collections, exhibits and programs. The museum strives to become the nation's premier institution of contemporary cultural and ethnic studies focusing on Texans and the diverse cultural communities that make Texas what it is.

Did You Know?

UTSA researcher is a star behind the cloud

A revolution in cloud computing is underway, and Ravi Sandhu believes it will be much bigger than the PC and Internet revolutions that have already changed the way we live. Sandhu, director of the UTSA Institute for Cyber Security, says UTSA is taking a leadership role in tackling three fundamental cloud technology problems: how to build and operate the cloud, how to use it profitably for diverse applications and how to keep it secure.

Sandhu, the Lutcher Brown Distinguished Chair in Cyber Security in the College of Sciences, and Ram Krishnan, assistant professor of electrical engineering in the UTSA College of Engineering, are funded by a $500,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to improve cloud security.

Did you know? Sandhu, a world-renowned cybersecurity expert, holds 30 patents, has authored more than 250 papers and been cited more than 30,000 times.

This documentary, presented by the San Antonio Film Festival, documents the experience of re-entry after incarceration. The film features Michael Gilbert, associate professor in the department of criminal justice and director of the Office of Community and Restorative Justice program at UTSA.
Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle

Discover resources and strategies for teaching Tejano history and culture and get a special educator's tour of the new long-term exhibit, Los Tejanos.
Institute of Texan Cultures, 801 E. Cesar E. Chavez Blvd.

This annual symposium is an opportunity to discuss Texas higher education issues and trends with Texas higher education scholars, state and local government officials, students, and campus and local community members.
Downtown Campus

Join President Ricardo Romo, The Spirit of San Antonio Marching Band, students, faculty and staff to light the monument at the Main Campus entrance at the stroke of midnight.
John Peace Boulevard Entrance, Main Campus

The UTSA Alumni Association hosts this annual gala honoring the Alumna of the Year, Alumnus of the Year and the Alumnus of the Year Lifetime Achievement award winners.
Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort & Spa, 9800 Hyatt Resort Dr.

Meet a Roadrunner

After graduation, Queretaro native founded a music label recognized by SXSW

UTSA's Mission

The University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.

UTSA's Vision

To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.

UTSA's Core Values

We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.